It's Monday mornng and the boys have to return to Cardiff …
CHAPTER SEVEN
It was the rain that woke Ianto.
He had been lost in a glorious dream that involved a lot of whipped cream, strawberries, bananas and Jack when suddenly he was awake. He lay listening to the rain tap against the patio doors and sighed. The good weather was gone and soon so would they be; it was back to Cardiff today. He looked at the clock: 6.23. Beside him, Jack was sleeping. Ianto propped himself up on one elbow and looked at him, spending several minutes just watching him sleep. He understood why Jack liked doing the same when it was he, Ianto, who was asleep. Creeping from the bed, Ianto decided against dressing and went through the living room to the toilet by the front door, not wanting to wake Jack with the noise of the cistern.
Back in the living room, with a bottle of water in hand, he stood by the patio doors and looked out. There was some rain still, but it was not heavy and a watery sun was attempting to break through the clouds. He looked out at the sea and thought back over the weekend, it had been a great few days. Turning, he saw a notebook on the dining table and picked it up. In Jack's inimitable writing he read the older man's note about their weekend together and also other notes about other incidents with other people. Sipping his water, he pondered what they were for; it didn't look like a diary even though there were some dates.
"And you complain about me reading your diary," came from the bedroom doorway. Jack was leaning there, arms folded across his chest.
Ianto looked over at him, enjoying the sight of his naked lover. "I'm sorry." He closed the notebook and put it back on the table.
"It's all right, I was joking." Jack came into the room and took the water from Ianto's head, taking a swig before returning it.
"Still, I shouldn't have looked."
"I don't mind, Ianto, honestly." Jack stood close, hands round Ianto's waist liking the soft feel of the younger man's chest hair against him. There was something very sexy about a hairy man. "I was just making a few notes. I don't want to forget this time with you."
"Why should you?" Ianto put down the water and laid his arms on Jack's shoulders, running them down his arms.
"I was thinking back, last night, and realised there were lots of good times that I've already forgotten, or at least which are pretty hazy. I don't want to forget you."
"Oh, Jack." Ianto leant forward just a little and pressed himself against the other man, linking their lips in a soft and gentle kiss. "Sometimes you say the nicest things."
"Only sometimes?"
"That's right, only sometimes." Ianto smiled and Jack smiled too. Then they kissed again.
"Back to bed?" suggested Jack, eyebrow raised interrogatingly.
"Do you mind if we don't? I'm still a bit sore from last night. And look at all these bruises!" He pulled out of the embrace and gestured to his body which was indeed showing signs of hard use.
"Oh my poor Ianto. I'm going to kiss them all better." He grinned and began to follow up his words with actions, starting with the large love bite on his lover's collar bone. Ianto stood still, enjoying the feeling but then realised where Jack's lips were headed and pushed him away.
"Oh no you don't! Carry on like that and we won't make it as far as the bedroom!" He reached for the water. "Do I have to pour this over you to cool you down?" he teased.
"No," Jack replied, grinning. "But I will have it. Could do with another drink." He took the bottle and drank thirstily and noisily.
"I'm going to grab a shower. And no, you can't join me." Ianto fended off Jack's groping hands. "Write up some more of your memories." He walked off and disappeared through the bedroom door.
Standing in the shower, hot water cascading over him, Ianto went back over what Jack had said. It was another consequence of his lover's unique and long life that he needed to record his experiences in order to remember them. Unfortunately, Ianto knew all too well from his own life that the bad memories lingered far longer than the good ones. Looking back, he realised he had lost a lot of the good times that he knew he had experienced as he grew up, washed away by the trauma of his father's death. Even some of the more recent, those involving Lisa, were overshadowed by Canary Wharf and its horrors. He applauded Jack for taking action now to set down the good times and was touched to be thought important enough to be included. Rinsing his hair of shampoo, Ianto turned off the water and stepped from the shower cubicle into …. Jack's arms.
"What the hell!?" the Welshman exclaimed.
"I've been waiting for you," said Jack, wrapping his arms round the warm and wet body. He kissed the slippery lips.
"Get off, Jack," protested Ianto, wriggling free. He grabbed a towel and wiped the water from his face. "Go have your own shower."
"That's what I was waiting for," said Jack cheekily and stepped into the cubicle and shut the door before Ianto could respond.
Sighing heavily, Ianto dried himself. He was shaving, barely able to see for the clouds of steam, when Jack turned off the water and emerged from the shower. "What time do we have to be back in Cardiff?" he asked as Jack dried himself.
"I told Tosh we'd be there by mid-morning. Seems things are still pretty quiet, Just a few Weevils and an odd Hoix." Jack was towelling his hair dry and his words were partly lost.
"That's okay then. We'll have breakfast and then I can clean up here before we have to set off." Ianto checked his chin and was satisfied. He splashed on a little aftershave wincing when it stung his raw skin.
"Why do you use that stuff when it hurts?" asked Jack, a towel flung over his shoulder as he prepared to shave.
"We don't all have your natural advantages."
"Hey, you smell great just as you are. Don't need to add anything extra on my account." He plugged in his razor and turned it on.
Ianto packed up his toiletries and checked behind the door to make sure he'd not left anything hanging there. Then he went to the bedroom and got dressed. As he pulled on his suit trousers and fastened his shirt and waistcoat he could feel his work persona taking over and regretted it. He had been able to let go and be more his old self over this past weekend and now he was buttoning up again, literally and figuratively. He left his tie and jacket on a chair and pulled his other clothes from the drawers and wardrobe and packed his bag. He was about finished when Jack emerged from the bathroom.
"You do look good in a suit," he commented, pausing to eye Ianto up and down.
"Thanks." Ianto knew Jack meant it as a compliment but given his recent thoughts Ianto wasn't sure he appreciated it as such. "Am I cooking breakfast again?"
"I'll do it if you like," agreed Jack, pulling on his underwear. "I expect you want to get cleaning."
"I could sort the bathroom out and strip the bed." He checked he had everything in the bag and then zipped it up. "Breakfast in half an hour?" he said, passing Jack to get to the bathroom.
"Okay." Jack was still dressing, grateful to be back in his forties style clothes. He attached the braces and snapped them over his shoulders before fastening his shirt. Oh yes, Jack Harkness was himself again. It wasn't that he didn't like wearing jeans – and he knew he looked good in them - it was just that these clothes defined him for what he was; a man out of his time but enjoying it.
As he packed, he went back over the past few decades trying to remember exactly when he had adopted the style. He hadn't retained it since the end of the Second World War; he'd been as glad to shed the fuddy-duddy image as the rest of the population when the chance came along. He had been a teddy-boy for a while, loving the Edwardian style jackets, skinny trousers and winkle-pickers. He had adored his winkle-pickers, probably still had a pair somewhere in his wardrobe back at the Hub. Then he had gone mad in the sixties, adopting everything from the leather of the rockers to the smart suits of the mods to psychedelia. He had grown his hair and had a droopy moustache too. It had been a wonderful time, especially all the women in the mini-skirts, he had waited a long time for those to show up. It was after that, when fashion had lost its cutting edge, that he had come back to the forties style. The tailor in a back street of Cardiff had enjoyed making the clothes he remembered from years before and had served him well for a long time, even after he'd retired and moved to Abertillery. Now Jack was content to stay as he was, his clothes projecting an eternal image for an eternal man.
Taking both bags, Jack put them on the couch in the living room. He stopped by the patio doors and looked out. The rain had stopped and the sun was trying its best to shine again. One or two hardy souls were out walking on the beach but they were well wrapped up in coats or thick sweaters. He and Ianto had been so lucky that the sun had shone on their days of freedom. Behind him, Jack heard Ianto leave the bathroom and start on the bed. Time to get breakfast.
It was a large breakfast as Jack had reasoned there was no point in taking food back to Cardiff with them. They ate in companionable silence, content to enjoy this last morning of their holiday together. Buttering his toast, Ianto smiled at Jack and wished all their mornings could start like this, calmly and in perfect accord.
"I'm going to miss this place," he said.
"Me too. Who would have thought Porthcawl could be so interesting."
"I don't think it would have mattered where we'd ended up. It was the company that made the stay so enjoyable." He saw Jack's grin and smiled himself. "Though I have to say that the town had more to offer that I remembered."
"Yeah, not bad at all." Jack stuffed the last piece of his toast into his mouth and chewed thoroughly. "What next?"
"I'll clear the kitchen then run the cleaner all through. That should do it."
"Want any help?" Jack knew Ianto would prefer to do the work himself; he never trusted anyone else, especially Jack, to do the job properly.
"You could wash up while I hoover in here. Then I can get into the kitchen." Ianto downed the last of his coffee and stood up.
"Right you are."
The two men separated to their tasks. When the washing up was done, Jack went out on the patio where the air smelt fresh and clean. There was a brisk sea breeze but he found a corner with some shelter where he could be warm enough and dragged a chair over. He used his mobile to call the Hub.
"Hey, Jack." It was Owen.
"Owen, just checking in. How's things?"
"No worries. Had an autopsy to do this morning so came in early."
"What autopsy?" Jack hadn't been told about this and that set alarm bells ringing. Were there other things he hadn't been told. "No one said anything about an autopsy."
"Keep your hair on! It's an old one, from last week. That weird yellow blob you and Ianto found. I'm just about to start on it."
"Oh, okay." Jack relaxed. They talked about this for a while then Jack said, "I hear you have a dog."
There was a moment's silence. "Bloody Tosh, knew she couldn't keep her mouth shut."
"We can't have dogs in the Hub, Owen."
"I know, I know. I'm taking it to the rescue place, soon as I've done the autopsy."
"Do it first. I do not want to find a dog there when we get back." His tone was firm.
"All right. What time you two gonna be here?"
"Mid-morning. Tell the others I want a briefing meeting when I get in, catch up with what's been happening.
"Will do. That it then?"
"Yeah, that's it. Go get rid of the dog." Jack cut the connection and smiled. Owen and a dog, what would the guy do next?
"Did someone mention a dog? I'm not looking after one of those as well, Jack. I already have enough to do." Ianto was standing beside him, hands on hips and frowning.
"You won't have to. I've told Owen to get rid of it." Jack stood, pocketing the mobile. "All clean?"
Ianto nodded. "You sure about the dog?"
"As sure I ever can be with Owen. If it's not gone when we get there, I'll take it to the pound myself. You will not have to take care of a dog, okay?" He kissed Ianto's nose.
"Okay."
"Now, how about a stroll along the beach?"
"We should be getting back," replied Ianto. He checked his watch and saw it was already gone nine o'clock.
"Another hour won't hurt and it'll give Owen time to remove the canine!" He laughed and grabbed Ianto round the waist. "Come on, one last walk together before we have to go back to work."
Dressed in suit jacket and greatcoat respectively, Ianto and Jack climbed down the steps from the patio to the beach. They got onto the hard sand where the water had compacted it and the walking was easy then strolled along towards the town. They chatted sporadically, remembering the kites and their early morning race among other things. Jack still protested that he would have beaten Ianto but the Welshman was having none of it, refusing to concede defeat. Reaching the town, they turned and sauntered back retracing their route. The sun was out but it was chilly compared to the days just gone; they needed their jackets. They had only been out forty minutes but both men were refreshed by the exercise.
"Time to leave then," said Jack, looking round at the place fondly as they stood outside the front door where Ianto's car, which had not been used all weekend, awaited them.
"Yes," agreed Ianto. "We can come back sometime," he added after a moment, hoping to cheer up himself and Jack.
"'Cos we can." Jack hoped it was the truth. He wanted more weekends like these but experience told him that what he hoped for and what he got were two entirely separate things.
In the bungalow, Ianto took one last look round to ensure all their belongings were accounted for while Jack packed the bags and the cool bag into the car; there were a few grocery items that were half-used and Ianto never liked to waste anything. Jack took off his greatcoat and put it on the back seat, folded tidily, then saw the neighbour's cat was sunning itself again. He walked across and petted it, feeling good as it purred beneath his stroking hand. Perhaps there was something to be said for keeping pets, maybe this was the feeling Owen got from that stray dog he had adopted.
"That's everything," said Ianto, emerging from the bungalow. He locked the front door and put the key in the key box and secured it. "Ready?"
"As I'll ever be. Bye, puss." He went over to the car and got into the passenger seat, fastening his seatbelt.
After putting his jacket in the back, Ianto took his position behind the steering wheel and turned on the engine. He went to put the car in gear when Jack's hand settled over his.
"Thanks for a lovely weekend," said Jack, smiling a soppy smile.
"Thank you. It's been wonderful." Ianto smiled back. "Now, gonna let me get this car in gear?" Jack removed his hand and the Welshman found reverse and eased out of the driveway.
They travelled back slowly through the town where they had wandered the streets and browsed in the shops. Ianto had carefully packed his new stopwatch – which had already been used more than once – and realised he had not bought Jack a gift. He regretted not doing so, he wanted the immortal man to have a memento to remind him of the weekend, something to jog his memory in the future. Impulsively, Ianto drew into a car park.
"Ianto?" queried Jack, surprised by the sudden stop. "Forgotten something?"
"Yes. Wait here, won't be long."
The younger man was out of the car and rushing away through the alley to the main shopping streets. He knew what he wanted to buy. He found the shop and was relieved to see it was empty this early on a Monday morning. Quickly making up his mind what to buy, he made his purchases and was out of the shop and on his way back to the car. As he entered the car park he saw Jack twisting round looking for him. When he did, Jack's eyes widened and he opened the car door.
"Ianto, what the hell have you got there?" The Welshman had an old box under his arm.
"A present. For you." He thrust the box at Jack, who was still sitting in the car and then shut the door on him, walking round to take his place in the driving seat. As he started the engine, Ianto said, "I never bought you anything. I thought of getting you one of those kites but it's not very practical so I got you those."
Jack was looking through the box. It contained various items: some postcards showing scenes of Porthcawl including one with kids flying kites; a brass keyring with a happy smiley face; a fossil found locally; a poster for the production of Oliver! that they had seen; a dark blue T-shirt with the legend 'I've been to Porthcawl' on it; and an exquisite small green glass elephant. He grinned at Ianto who was glancing over at him trying to gauge his reaction.
"Why?" asked Jack.
"You bought me the stopwatch and I didn't get you anything. But what do you get the man who'll live forever? I thought of your notebook and decided to get you things that would remind you of here, of now. They're all memory joggers." He stopped speaking, glancing across again.
"They're wonderful. Thank you." Jack leaned over and kissed Ianto's cheek, his hand on the Welshman's thigh.
"Sure? I mean, I know it's not much, not nearly as expensive as the stopwatch and .."
"Will you stop blathering, Ianto!? I love them. Like you say, they'll always remind me of here, of you. I can put the postcards in my book and the poster on my wall." He looked at Ianto and waited until the man glanced his way. "Really, you couldn't have got anything better." Ianto heaved a sigh of relief. It was always hard to buy for Jack and he had only had the inspiration as he was driving along.
The drive back to Cardiff was straight forward with no hold-ups. They inched through the city traffic and finally made it to Mermaid Quay around eleven o'clock. After parking, Ianto took the cool bag and equipment box from the boot, leaving the bags to go back with him to the flat that evening. Jack took his box of presents, his greatcoat and Ianto's jacket; it was warming up again and they didn't need to wear them. As they walked across the Plass to the water tower, both men fell silent. Soon they would be back at work, dealing with all the Rift could throw at them. Neither wanted to return there but duty called and they said nothing.
"Lift?" asked Jack.
"Yeah. Let's enter in style." They stood on the slab and Jack used his wrist strap controls to activate the mechanism and they descended slowly.
"Where is everyone?" Jack looked round, thinking the others might be hiding waiting to jump out at them. "Hello?" he shouted. The sound echoed round off the brick and concrete but there was no reply.
"This doesn't feel good," said Ianto hustling off the lift and up to the work area. Jack was on his heels.
"Rift alert," said Jack, checking Toshiko's computer as Ianto put down the box and cool bag, "in Penarth." He opened his comms, grimacing at Ianto; they were not going to have a slow return to work after all. "Gwen, what's going on?"
After a moment, Gwen's voice replied. "Jack, you back? We need you. A builder doing construction over here has found something. Looks alien."
"Okay. I'm on my way."
"Good. Soon as you can, Jack." She ended the call.
"You'll need a vehicle," said Ianto. Reluctantly he held out his car keys, "Take mine."
"You sure?" Jack knew what a big step this was for Ianto; he'd never been allowed to drive it before.
"Yeah. Go." Ianto thrust the keys into Jack's hand. "Just bring it back in one piece."
"I will." Jack passed the box of gifts and jacket to Ianto and kissed him soundly. "No rest for the wicked," he grinned, shrugged on his greatcoat and was off to the lift and soon disappeared from view.
Ianto stood looking round him. They had been back barely five minutes and already the holiday seemed like a dream. He rifled through the box in his hands and looked at the postcards; maybe he should start a memory book too. At this rate he'd need one. Shrugging, he put the box on Jack's desk and then got down to work. He had a Hub to clean, inmates to feed and a Tourist Office to run. He started on the cleaning.
Then he heard a dog bark.
-ooOoo-
The team returned to the Hub an hour and a bit later. The alien had been dead for centuries, entombed in the earth where it had crashed. Its remains were in a container Owen carried.
"What do you think it is?" Toshiko said as she led the way into the Hub. "It doesn't look like anything we've seen before."
"Not sure. We'll see what Owen makes of it," replied Jack, following her up to the work area. He smiled when he saw Ianto waiting for them there.
"Hi, Ianto," called Toshiko. Her smile faltered when she saw his expression. "You okay?"
"No, I am not okay." He glared at Owen who had reached the work area with Gwen. "Owen Harper, what is a dog doing in the Medical Bay?" he asked ominously.
"Oh no, don't tell me it's messed all over the floor again?" the doctor wailed, walking to his desk. Jack raised an eyebrow but said nothing, watching the two men carefully.
"It hasn't. That was not the question. I distinctly heard Jack tell you to get rid of it. I am not looking after a dog!" Ianto's voice rose, a sign his patience was wearing thin.
"Who's asking you to!? I was about to take it to that dog rescue place when the bleeding alarm went off!"
"That's true, Ianto," said Toshiko in a small voice.
"So go now, Owen," said Jack. "No time like the present." He put a hand on Ianto's arm and could feel him trembling with suppressed anger.
"All this fuss over a bloody dog," grumbled Owen as he went to the Medical Bay.
"Ianto, I am in distinct need of a coffee. Any chance?" Jack decided a distraction was just what Ianto needed. He handed back the car keys at the same time: he had driven exceptionally carefully.
"Of course, Jack. Gwen, Tosh?" The Welshman's voice was calm again. Toshiko nodded.
"Please, sweetheart," said Gwen with a smile. "I have so missed your coffee. Have a good weekend, did you?" She walked with him to the coffee machine, her arm through his, and a backward look over her shoulder that told Jack she would keep him busy.
Jack turned his attention to Owen who had emerged with a mongrel on a lead. He said nothing, just watched the doctor walk off, still grumbling, and out of the cog door. Then Jack saw Toshiko looking at him and smiled. "Nothing changes," he remarked before turning and going into his office.
-ooOoo-
The Hub was quiet, just the ticking of the machinery and the flap of the Pteranodon's wings as it swept around the upper reaches. Ianto stood in the middle of the lower level beside the pool. He hadn't moved for five minutes or more and Jack, watching from his office, decided to find out why. He walked over to join him, his footsteps loud in the quiet.
"Ianto?"
The Welshman looked at his boss. "Do you realise that less than twelve hours ago we were walking on the beach? I was relaxed and happy and now …" he shrugged his shoulders and looked around him.
"I know." Jack wrapped his arms round him from behind, pressing close. "We'll have more times like that, I promise." He kissed the nape of Ianto's neck. He was pleased when Ianto's body relaxed into his embrace.
"I hope so, Jack, I really do."
"Your place or mine?" asked Jack, now nibbling at the soft skin.
"Mine." Ianto turned in Jack's arms and kissed him passionately. "Race you!" he cried and laughing ran for the cog door. Jack burst into peals of laughter and followed him.
And that's the end of their weekend break. Perhaps they should have another one …